F3 Driver Sophia Flörsch Takes a Shot at $500M Superstar Lewis Hamilton: “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton knows how to raise eyebrows both on and off the track. He recently raised the issue of diversity in motorsport and said he would like to set up an F1 team that would have a diversity policy.

Sophia Flörsch, an F3 driver, didn’t shy away from publicly calling out Hamilton and challenged him to follow through on his words with actions. And that created a lot of backlash.

In a recent interview, Hamilton expressed his dream of having a team promoting diversity from the start. He highlighted junior talents such as Doriane Pin and Kenzo Craigie, both rising talents in the motorsport world, saying: “If I was to make a team, maybe one day I will, it’ll be diverse from the beginning.”

It’s not just talk, either, from the Mercedes driver. He’s already been spearheading things like Mission 44, an organization focused on diversity in motorsport and beyond.

Also Read: “You Can Kiss My …” Joey Logano Vigorously Defends Controversial 2024 NASCAR Championship

Flörsch’s Bold Challenge

Alpine Academy driver Sophia Flörsch caused a stir by shrugging off Hamilton’s broadside with a blunt retort. Answering to a Motorsport.com post on X, she said:

“Put your money where your mouth is.”

Her words also seemed to call Hamilton’s commitment into question, suggesting putting more concrete capital like funding new teams or directly supporting underrepresented drivers into action.

It was a fast and brutal backlash. Hamilton’s fans defended their idol and lambasted Flörsch for her comment, insisting the British champion has made important contributions to diversity efforts.

One fan wrote: “A small Google search would’ve saved you from this idiocy,” as Hamilton has made many donations and has lots of initiatives.

“You might be the dumbest person ever,” another added.

“This is just humiliating for you,” someone else said.

What’s Behind the Controversy?

The debate isn’t just about Hamilton or Flörsch, it’s about the difficulties of major change in motorsport. Hamilton has been in front of pushing for diversity, but women and underrepresented groups are still largely absent from Formula 1. While provocative, Flörsch’s comment raises an important question: So what more could we do to change mere words into lasting impact?

While Hamilton’s efforts as an advocate for inclusion is clear, Flörsch’s comment perfectly brings to light a sentiment in motorsport — change is very slow, and particularly so when it’s manufactured through symbolic gestures that are unlikely to convert into more concrete action.

But the issue will be whether or not her comment will lead to further conversations, or simply become a footnote of controversy.

And as the debate rages on, one thing does remain clear: the road to a genuinely diverse F1 grid remains a long way from dead and buried. Will there ever be a team on the F1 grid diverse from the beginning? Only time will tell.

Also Read: American Giant General Motors/Cadillac to Join Formula 1 Grid as 11th Team in 2026